Home-state senators are given the courtesy of signaling their approval of federal judicial nominees, which they do by returning a form known as a “blue slip.” Casey has withheld his blue slip, saying Porter advocates conservative legal policies that are hostile to workers and equal protection laws.

Three other Trump administration appellate court picks who lacked support from at least one of their home-state senators also have move forward, a practice that has infuriated Democrats and liberal activists.

Republicans involved in the nomination process say the blue-slip practice is not meant to give home-state senators a veto over a nominee. They also say Casey was consulted on Porter’s nomination, though Casey’s office has disputed that.

After Thursday’s 11-10 vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee, Porter’s nomination now awaits a vote by the full Senate.

If confirmed, Porter would serve on the appeals court that hears cases from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and the Virgin Islands. He has worked as a business litigation attorney with the Pittsburgh firm of Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney for two decades.